Download When the Church Takes a Wrong Turn

Galatians 3
When the Church Takes a
Wrong Turn
by Dr. Jerry Vines
By the Book™ A Chapter by
Chapter Bible Study Series
from Jerry Vines Ministries
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Let’s Begin
Early in the 16th century, a Catholic monk by the name of Martin
Luther sent shockwaves around the Christian world when he
posted what came to be known as the “95 theses” on the door of
the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. Among many things,
he dared question the papal authority of the established church.
This simple act led to what we know today as the “Protestant
Reformation.” The church at large had taken a wrong turn
somewhere in the third or fourth century.
Consequently, while there were “pockets” of the true people of God
throughout the Medieval period, the vast majority of Christendom
had followed the wrong path. They had lost the simple Gospel
message of faith in Jesus Christ alone. God used Martin Luther,
along with many other “lesser lights” to call the church back to
her Biblical roots and the simple preaching of the Gospel.
The church at Galatia broke Paul’s heart. How soon they had
taken a wrong turn. Chapter three is Paul’s blade cutting both
ways. He cuts quickly and deeply into the Galatians’ betrayal of
their vows to follow Christ and Christ alone. At the same time, his
own heart is sliced wide open because he loved the Galatians so
much. He spent many hours teaching them, discipling them, and
tutoring them in the faith once for all given to the saints. Now, at
the blinking of his eyes, so to speak, the Galatians have foolishly
taken a road which leads away from God not toward Him.
As we consider this tragic story of the early church taking a wrong
turn, lets follow the outline below:
I. There is Corruption of the Gospel (vv. 1-5)
II. There is Correction from the Gospel (vv. 6-14)
III. There is Commitment to the Gospel (vv. 15-29)
I. There is Corruption of the
Gospel (vv. 1-5)
No fooling around exists for the Apostle. He gets
to his point immediately, “O foolish Galatians,
who hath bewitched you, that ye should not
obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ
hath been evidently set forth, crucified among
you” (v. 1). To turn away from God’s way of
salvation is a cosmic crime. To turn away after
one has been given the truth, with truth clearly,
thoroughly explained, is a detour on a deadend street. And the dead-end street is oneway! Hence, Paul uses the strongest terms in
speaking with the Galatians. For him, they are,
“O foolish Galatians.”
Paul is not accusing them of stupidity, though
stupid they were for thinking about going back
to the bondage of the law. The Galatians had no
idea of the boundary they were about to cross.
And, tragically, many times we do not either.
God places obstacles in our way to caution
us, steer us, and keep us safely through life’s
journey. However, we have moments when we
feel we must test the boundaries, all the while
ignoring the danger we are in. That perfectly
describes the Galatians as well.
Another term Paul uses to drive the severity
of their condition home is “bewitched.” While
their foolishness displayed their insensitivity to
danger, Paul’s description of them as“bewitched”
showed them as being under a “spell” of some
sort. Evidently, the Judaizers were very eloquent
in their presentations, casting a hypnotic frame
of mind over the Galatians. It is said that Adolph
Hitler was so persuasive in his speeches as tens
of thousands of Germans gathered to hear him
that they stood for hours in the cold or rain,
spellbound by his powerful presentations.
Copyright 2008© Jerry Vines Ministries. All rights reserved. No portion may be altered or copied without written permission.
For more information about this and other teaching and growth resources, contact www.jerryvines.com
Galatians 3
Reflection Connection
Think for a moment about
the millions of people who
have been deceived by certain
T.V. preachers who promise
them wealth if they will only
send them money. Why do
you think people are so gullible?
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The Holy Spirit anoints God’s men as they stand in the pulpit to preach God’s
Word. He makes their message effective and drives home the truth of the Gospel
to the listeners’ heart. Not surprisingly, Satan has his “copy cat” anointing as he
blinds the minds of those who do not believe (cp. 2 Cor. 4:4). Consequently, the
false teachers’ words are filled with manipulation, giving an impression that the
words are true. The Galatians were in grave danger under the spell of the devil’s
hucksters.
The special message of the Gospel had been
corrupted. Had the Galatians received
the Spirit by faith or by works? That
was the only relevant question (v. 2). If
so, how could they begin in the Spirit
but end up in fleshly works? (v. 3). It was
really very simple to cut through the fog
the Judaizers had cast over the Galatians’
mind. If believers will stay in Scripture,
and stick with Scripture, virtually every
false teacher will be easily exposed.
Not only was the Gospel simple, it was
also stirring. Paul had painted a picture of
the Gospel so plain, so clear, it was almost
impossible to confuse it.
Paul had
painted a
picture of
the Gospel so
plain, so clear,
it was almost
impossible to
confuse it.
Second, the spiritual maturity in the Gospel
had been corrupted (vv. 2-3). The Galatians were saved by faith. Nothing else
qualified. Paul pushed them to think deeply about their faith; not what they
did but what Jesus did for them. The Christian life begins here--faith. And, the
Holy Spirit testifies to the believer’s heart that faith in Jesus is their hope (cp.
Rom. 8:9; Eph. 1:13; John 7:39). Therefore, the Galatians were both justified (v.
2) and sanctified (v. 3) by faith alone. Beginning in the Spirit, we continue by the
Spirit. He regenerates us, resides in us, and He continually renews us. Our entire
Christian life is boxed in by the Spirit of God not the works of the flesh.
In addition, Paul insisted the supernatural manifestation of the Gospel had been
corrupted (vv. 4-5). The ministry of the Spirit working miracles, changing hearts,
renovating lives, and reconciling relationships were tests of the true Gospel of
grace. The foolish Galatians were about to trade such heavenly wonders for
phony babble from false teachers about circumcision being the test of one’s
relationship to God. The Apostle was white hot! To so much as breathe that
the “law saves” makes the Gospel null and void.
II. There is Correction from the Gospel (vv. 6-14)
Paul raised his cannon and pounded the Galatians’ spiritual wall to powder.
They were allowing the Gospel to be corrupted. Now, he appeals to the Biblical
evidence to solidify his case. Going back beyond the Judaizers’ wrong-headed
exposition of Moses’ law of circumcision, he cites Abraham. Paul’s simple but
profound conclusion is we are saved the very same way Abraham was saved-by faith. His masterful appeal to the father of faith was a direct hit against the
Judaizers. Case closed!
Copyright 2008© Jerry Vines Ministries. All rights reserved. No portion may be altered or copied without written permission.
For more information about this and other teaching and growth resources, contact www.jerryvines.com
Galatians 3
Reflection Connection
Do you find yourself unconsciously depending on your
“good works” to please God
in your every day walk with
Him? Explain. Do you think
a lot of Christians appear to
depend on their own activities--good works, prayer, worship, witnessing, etc--to gain
God’s favor?
Page 3 of 5
First, we share the same justification with Abraham (vv. 6-9). Paul writes, “Even as
Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know
ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham”
(vv. 6-7). How was Abraham saved? What constituted Abraham’s relationship
with God, being accepted in God’s sight? Abraham “believed” God. He took
God at His word. The result? His faith was, “accounted to him as righteousness.”
What could be any clearer? Simple faith saved
Abraham.
Furthermore, every believer is a spiritual
descendent of Abraham (vv. 8-9). Works of
righteousness--including circumcision--do
not make us children of Abraham; faith does.
Abraham
“believed”
God. He took
God at His
word.
Second, we share the same redemption (vv.
10-14). Paul affirms the law’s curse but the
Gospel’s redemption. He writes, “But that no
man is justified by the law in the sight of God,
it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
And the law is not of faith: but, the man that doeth them shall live in them.
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us:
for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” (vv. 11-13).
Hence, the Gospel is indispensible (vv. 10-12) as well as incredible (v. 13). Even
more significantly for us, the Gospel is available, “That the blessing of Abraham
might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the
promise of the Spirit through faith” (v. 14). The curse has been lifted off us
and placed on Jesus. He bore it on Calvary. Now the same salvation Abraham
experienced we experience. And, we experience it the very same way as did
Abraham--through faith.
III. There is Commitment to the Gospel (vv. 15-29)
Paul’s message could not stand unheard by both the Galatians themselves as
well as the Judaizers who were spreading their false doctrines. While the Gospel
had been corrupted by them, the same Gospel offered correction to them. Now,
there must be a rock-hard commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. A faith
welded to the Gospel is the only hope for the Galatians to get back on the road
with God.
Before the final capstone is placed on Paul’s argument, however, he deals with
an obvious question which, by answering it, will push the Galatians back to the
Gospel road. The question Paul now addresses is this: If keeping the law cannot
save, why did God give the law in the first place? The Apostle offers a three-fold
answer.
First, the law was related to the promise of God (vv. 15-18). In this section, Paul
mentions the “promise” of God a staggering 7 times! The promise referred to
God’s promise to Abraham. The Apostle offered a human illustration, “Brethren,
Copyright 2008© Jerry Vines Ministries. All rights reserved. No portion may be altered or copied without written permission.
For more information about this and other teaching and growth resources, contact www.jerryvines.com
Galatians 3
Page 4 of 5
I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it
be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto” (v. 15). The “covenant”
is a simple contract between at least two parties. The covenant can neither
be cancelled nor changed. With the human illustration, Paul makes spiritual
application (vv. 16-18). What is true of human covenants is also true of a
covenant with God. God’s salvation covenant is no different.
With this in place, the law of Moses, coming 430 years after God’s salvation
agreement with Abraham could not cancel out the agreement, the agreement
based on faith. If the law added to faith, Paul argues, the law destroys faith.
Hence, the covenant would be broken with Abraham. In addition, the law is
completely conditional--do this and live. However, the promise--given to
Abraham based on his faith--is completely unconditional. Jesus Christ did it
all for us. Faith is merely the empty hand which receives His finished work as a
promised gift.
The law
cannot
accomplish
the purpose of
God to save.
Second, the law was related to the purpose
of God (vv. 19-20). Paul just showed how
faith was and remains the instrument
through which people are saved.
Elsewhere, the Apostle would say it like
this, “Not by works of righteousness
which we have done, but according to
his mercy he saved us, by the washing
of regeneration, and renewing of the
Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5). Hence, the law
cannot accomplish the purpose of God to save.
The question arises, if the law does not serve the purpose of God to save, what
purpose does the law serve? Paul answers, first, the law makes us aware of our
natural inclination to sin. It was added “because of transgressions” (v. 19). Once
the law was intact, sin became a violation of the law (cp. Rom. 4:15). The law
does not make us sinners; rather the law reveals us as sinners. But while the law
shows us our sin, it possesses no power to save. It possesses only the power to
condemn. The law creates in our heart an urging, a need to be saved. As a result,
it drives us to Christ’s cross, seeing in Him hope for salvation.
Third, the law was related to the power of God (vv. 21-25). Paul queries, “Is the
law against the promises of God?” (v. 21a). His answer is, “God forbid!” Or,
another way to say it is, “Most certainly not!” Indeed if the law had the power
to save, Jesus would have died in vain. The aim of the law is to lead a desperate
law-breaker--a sinner--to Christ.
Reflection Connection
How does the law affect our life
each day? Should Christians
focus on the details of books
like Leviticus or Deuteronomy?
Why or why not?
The law is like a custodian who watches the jail (vv. 22-23). Prisoners are shut
up, locked away with no hope of escape. The prisoner is bound in chains, fixed
to the dungeon wall. When the law of God is preached, listeners feel imprisoned
by the walls of sin. Christ sets us free. He paid our fines. He took our prison
sentence upon himself. We are free, saved by Jesus Christ!
The law is also like a child guardian (vv. 24-25). In the Greco-Roman world,
servants were hired to care for children from ages 6 to 16. They tutored them
when possible and cared for them. The guardians made sure the children were
schooled properly. The law “tutored” us; that is, it made sure sin would be
exposed so we would run to Jesus for salvation.
Copyright 2008© Jerry Vines Ministries. All rights reserved. No portion may be altered or copied without written permission.
For more information about this and other teaching and growth resources, contact www.jerryvines.com
Galatians 3
Page 5 of 5
Paul is now in a position to push the Galatians toward a commitment to the
Gospel. They had been corrupted from the Gospel and Paul had corrected them
with the Gospel. Now they must make allegiance to the Gospel. Paul writes,
“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you
as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor
Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye
are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and
heirs according to the promise” (vv. 26-29). The Gospel identifies us with Christ.
We are “baptized into Him” and now we must “put on” Him. Our garment is
Jesus Christ.
Additionally, the Gospel unites us with other believers. Just as we are all children
of Abraham through faith, we are brothers and sisters in God’s family of faith.
We are all, “one in Christ Jesus.” If the Galatian church turned around, getting on
the right road to God, it would be as a family, the family of God.
Golden Greek Nugget
Paul asserted the law was our
“schoolmaster” to bring us to
Christ (v. 24). The English term
translated “schoolmaster” is
the Greek word paidagôgos,
which literally means “a
trainer of boys.” The term
originally referred to slaves
who cared for young boys,
serving as escorts from
home to school. Later, the
term began to be used of a
teacher or an educator. In
fact, ancient Greeks regarded
philosophers as teachers. For
Paul, like the slave escorted
boys to school, the law was
designed to escort the sinner
from condemnation in the
law to salvation in the cross.
Wrap Up
Churches can miss God. They can make a wrong turn and end up in a
spiritual wilderness. That is precisely what happened to the Galatians.
Instead of following the Gospel, they allowed false teachers to corrupt the
Gospel. Paul corrected their error and empowered them with the truth in
Jesus Christ.
Copyright 2008© Jerry Vines Ministries. All rights reserved. No portion may be altered or copied without written permission.
For more information about this and other teaching and growth resources, contact www.jerryvines.com